Journeys to War and Peace: A Congressional Memoir

Advance Praise

More advance praise for journeys to war & peace and Stephen J. Solarz “This fascinating book shares with the reader what many of us who worked alongside him already knew—that he was a savvy and effective public servant, dedicated to promoting U.S. interests and advancing the causes of democracy and human rights worldwide. Journeys to War and Peace is more than an engaging illumination of Congressman Solarz’s international activities, it is a testament to what one individual can accomplish when armed with determination, creativity, and an irrepressible desire to help others.” senator chris dodd “Steve Solarz was both a statesman and a member of Congress, a rare combination. No American did more to help restore democracy to the Philippines, and few members of Congress had as much impact globally in steering U.S. foreign policy towards peace-making and democracy-building.Journeys to War and Peace helps us understand what a wise Congressman has done and what Congress can do to further U.S. interests abroad.” jimmy carter “The literature on Congress and foreign policy suggests that its role has either been destructive or marginal. Steve Solarz’s career and memoir provide compelling evidence that Congress can be constructive and central in steering the President toward infusing American foreign policy with its values and reinforcing the President to make necessary and unpopular decisions to advance U.S. interests abroad. Also, unlike most books on Congress, Solarz’s is insightful, readable, and entertaining. I would recommend this for every student and course on Congress and on U.S. foreign policy.” robert a. pastor Professor of International Relations, American University “Steven Solarz’s Journeys to War and Peace: A Congressional Memoir is a succinct and sharp introduction to the most significant international conflicts of the last two decades . Written from the perspective of an influential American Congressman of his time, Solarz examines the core issues of the Middle East Peace Process,Apartheid, the birth of Zimbabwe,the tragedies of Zaire,Cambodia,the fall of Marcos,the India and Pakistan conflict, the Gulf War, Turkey, Kosovo, Korea, Taiwan, and other conflicts. It is an absorbing, fascinating and well-written account and will certainly be included in libraries and collections. “This book will be most useful for students of politics, diplomats, negotiators and decision-makers because they will gain valuable insight into why elected politicians take the actions they do, how they work the political process to achieve policy objectives , and why they are successful. His last chapter,‘Lessons Learned,’ is an important legacy to pass on to others. In the case of Steven Solarz, he became one of the U.S. Congressmen who can reasonably claim to have had an impact on American foreign policy. It was his immense persistence and fighting spirit.” lee kuan yew Minister Mentor, Singapore “Steve Solarz’s Journeys to War and Peace is one of the most illuminating commentaries on the role of Congress in foreign policy in many years. By dramatically showing how an individual congressman can make a difference on a broad range of foreign policy issues he demonstrates that foreign policy is not the exclusive prerogative of the presidency. A must and enjoyable read for anyone who wants to understand the ways in which Congress can influence American foreign policy.” robert dallek presidential historian and author of biographies about John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson “Steve Solarz’s book is both a touching personal memoir and a quiet demonstration of how a dedicated, determined, and intensely knowledgeable congressman could exert real influence on American foreign policy over two decades. His contributions to democracy in the Philippines and South Korea modestly recounted here are a lasting testament of a Solarz foreign policy.” mort abramowitz former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Thailand “More than an eyewitness to history, Congressman Steven Solarz bent history—towards greater human freedom and democracy. He tells this compelling tale in scenes that stick with the reader long afterwards. His book is as superb as was his decency and dedication in public life.” kenneth adelman former Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and head of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency under President Reagan “Imagine a member of Congress who helped bring down dictators, gave comfort to dissidents around the world, spent quality time with some of his era’s most famous heroes and villains—and with lots of other interesting people in between. Then imagine that...